Falcon hunting keeps Qatar’s Bedouin traditions alive

 

Doha, Qatar: (December 31): Falconry offers a glimpse at how Qatar used to be. The millennia-old sport remains extremely popular amongst Qatar's elite and is keeping Qatar’s Bedouin traditions alive. Centuries ago, Bedouin tribesmen used falcons to hunt for meat in the winter. These days, falconry is a popular sport and hobby for many Qataris and the falcon is also the country’s national bird

Come Sunday 1st January 2023, one will get know the sport from close quarters during the 14th edition of the Qatar International Falcons and Hunting Festival (Marmi 2023) will starts at Sabkhat Marmi in Sealine and will end on 28 January 2023.

Held annually under the patronage of HE Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, the festival is being organised by the Qatar Al Gannas Society and is one of the largest festivals in the specialized field of falcons and hunting in the region.

Al Gannas, a cultural association for hunters was founded in 2008 and is dedicated to promoting traditional Arabic hunting.

Marmi Festival is one important event as falconers were registered in the 2011 World Heritage list. It is regarded as one of the key components of the original Qatari culture as it displays a variety of characteristics of history and legacy and works to preserve them for future generations.

It represents Arab hunters in international and regional contests, organising events and providing support. The association includes the best facilities and equipment required for hunting, and encourages research and studies in the field.

There will be two tournaments each day, 8 am and 11 am and also contest for Young Falconer and the Promising Falconer.

Ali Khatim al-Mehshadi, head of the Organising Committee of Marmi 2023 and chairman of Al Qannas Society, said that the Festival will have a total of 44 groups competing at a rate of five groups a day. He stressed that the society is keen on supporting Qatari falconers and farm owners to produce the best breeds of falcons as the Festival hosts the most beautiful falcons contest every year. This year's contest will have more categories to encourage falconers, the official added.

Last year, around 1,400 falcons participated during the 13th edition of the festival. The event has also become a tourist attraction for visitors as it gained a wide audience.

The sport of falconry began over 5,000 years ago in Iran, and spread over the centuries to East and West. The sport was introduced to Qatar through Bedouin tribes who used the birds as a tool for hunting. They discovered that it was much easier to allow the raptors to take down birds migrating across the Arabian Peninsula than it was to shoot them down themselves. This Bedouin method of falconry set the basis for the modern version of the sport practiced in Qatar.

Although, over the centuries, falconry has virtually disappeared from the European continent, the sport lives on in the Middle East. In Qatar, you can still purchase falcons in downtown Doha at falcon souqs or through private dealers. The best raptors can cost thousands of dollars and may even be issued their own Qatari passports to ensure they are not stolen or taken out of the country without the owner's permission. Due to these elaborate methods of theft prevention, it is not uncommon for you to be seated beside a full-grown falcon when travelling on a Middle Eastern airliner.

Once you have purchased (or caught and trained) your falcon, you proceed to enter a very competitive sport. Many Qataris spend fortunes on their falconry equipment, which can include radio monitors, 4x4 trucks, communication devices, and other high priced items. The reason for the high-tech equipment is so that the hunters can arrive right when the bird is taking down its prey, so they may separate the animals and kill the prey according to Islamic customs.

But if you are considering participating in this ancient sport, remember that a large amount of time must be invested in training the birds, especially if they are caught in the wild. One of the techniques involves keeping the bird on one's arm for several hours a day, which, aside from being painful, would obviously prove problematic to anyone who has a regular job.

The most popular prey is the Houbara bustard, a large, fast bird, which lives throughout the Middle East. That being said, the bird has been hunted to the point of being endangered in Qatar. So falconers must constantly travel the globe to search for new hunting grounds. It is said that the best hunting grounds are found in the Iraqi desert.

Falconry offers a glimpse at how Qatar used to be. The millennia-old sport remains extremely popular amongst Qatar's elite and new efforts to restock the Qatari desert with Houbara bustards will ensure the sport continues.

 

 

 

Documentary on life of Andrea Thumshrin, Germany hockey player based in India on the cards

 

 

Sparklework Films Pvt, a Gurgaon based Film Production House were in Cuncolim in South Goa to shoot a hockey related documentary. Cuncolim Hockey Club, players and officials took part in the documentary.

According to information available, the German embassy has roped in the company from Gurgaon to shoot a documentary on the life of Andrea Thumshrin, who has worked in Rajasthan and other states to promote Hockey in India, specially educating and training the girl child. she was one of the co-founders of Hockey Academy at the Miracles High School in Sangeum.

Andrea is currently based in South Goa.

India can play in FIFA World Cup Finals in another 15 to 20 years’ time: AIFF President

 

India can play in FIFA World Cup Finals in another 15 to 20 years’ time: AIFF President

Chaubey is hopeful that India can reach the top level in football, not immediately, but it's going to be a long-term plan which the AIFF is going to be working on in the months and years ahead which he is hopeful that will take them to the summit.

By Armstrong Vaz

Doha (Qatar): If you are a football fan from India and was hoping the world’s second most populous country could make it to the FIFA World Cup Finals soon, then hold your breath. You will have to wait for another 15 to 20 years for it to become a reality if one goes by the words of All India Football Federation (AIFF) President Kalyan Chaubey.  

The former goalkeeper, who took charge as AIFF chief is quite hopeful that India can reach the top level in football, not immediately, but it's going to be a long-term plan which the AIFF is going to be working on in the months and years ahead which he is hopeful that will take them to the summit.

“We just need to come together, we need to bring together people who are involved with football, we need to ask and present our plan to our honorable Prime Minister (Narendra Modi) that this is the way and this is the way forward and this is the road map if we can follow let's say next 15 years next 12 years next 20 years I think India can do well and present in World Cup,” Chaubey said while on short trip to Qatar.

 “I think India has huge potential to participate uh FIFA World Cup and uh we need to work hard with a long-term plan I'm sure when Asian countries Japan Korea Saudi Iran they are they have done extremely well this world cup and India's confidence level also has gone high that if the other Asian countries can do so can India do so

“I believe that India has that potential India can do it and that's how we have to work hard and we are working on a road map and what needs to be done so that India can play in World Cup,” added Chaubey, who graduated from Tata Football Academy played professional football for some of the top clubs in Kolkotta, Mumbai, Punjab before retiring in 2010.

He expressed the need to work hard to work on scientific lines and take help of modern technology and set a long term strategic plan keeping the World Cup goal in mind.

“We have to work hard we have to find ways that how we can you know take the advantage of sports science infrastructure development ah the modern football training and strategic partner and also the fitness planning, thereafter I think Indian national team can also represent in FIFA World Cup I think it should not be impossible task to think of,” he added.

Chaubey said India is proved in different field that it a leader and he does not see any reason the country can made strides and emerge as a football playing nation at the international level.

“Our honorable prime minister Narendra Modi ji has taken India into World Forum, G20, Climate Change, Renewable Energy, India is fifth largest Economic Powerhouse, so if India can perform under leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi so well why can't football can be also under his leadership so I think India can do well and be present in the World Cup.”

 

Chaubey, who assumed office as AIFF President on September 2 this year, agreed that football passion and fan following runs high among people in India especially in the domestic competitions and regretted that Indian team has not be carry forward the fans aspirations forward in international competitions.

“We know how football is popular back in India I mean if you if you play any state level Santosh trophy championship at the matches between Kerala vs Maharashtra, Goa vs Bengal you see around nearly 80,000 to 100 000 people they are watching match, you play Durand Cup in Manipur you will find 35 to 40, 000 people watching match. It's a sad part that India football as an Indian team is not representing overseas but domestic football is very popular in in our country,” who played for both Mohan Bagan and East Bengal as well as now defunct clubs JCT of Punjab and Mumbai based Mahindra United, besides Goa’s Salgaocar SC.

Incidentally at the Qatar World Cup India fans were the second highest who came to watch the football showpiece event with Saudi Arabia topping the list.

“It is good that it is documented now that in Qatar World Cup the second largest football fans were from India,” he said in response to another question.

Chaubey and other office bearers of AIFF who were in Qatar met a delegation of Saudi Arabian Football Federation and discussed with them issues concerning football in the region and the long term ties between the two countries and also had a brief meeting with FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

Incidentally the AIFF and Saudi Arabia Football Federation have come up with an agreement where the Santosh Trophy championship, the state level senior championships semi-final and final will be held in Saudi Arabia, which is a first in the history of the 71-year old tournament. Last year Kerala won the championship defeating West Bengal while earlier two years the event could not take place due to Covid19.

Prior to his assumption to the office saw Indian football pass through one of the darkest phase when it was banned by FIFA on August 15, the ban was subsequently lifted on August 26 after FIFA received confirmation that the mandate of the Committee of Administrators that was set up to assume the powers of the AIFF Executive Committee had been terminated.

 

 

 

 

 

GLITTERING CLOSING CEREMONY OF SUPER DANCER DANCE COMPETITION

 

GLITTERING CLOSING CEREMONY OF SUPER DANCER DANCE COMPETITION  

Doha Music Lovers organised “Super Dancer Dance Competition” in association with Emote Edition Dance Studios. The event was organised to offer a platform to all the dance enthusiasts who are passionate about   dancing. More than 200 contestants enrolled in this mega dance competition and after a month long auditions 42 contestants were taken to grand finale. The programme started with national anthems of Qatar & India.

It was an amazing night with contestants dancing in glittering clothes with fashionable jewellery and full of passion and enthusiasm. The program was hosted by beautiful Aafrin Khan and Mohinder Jalandhary. Talking about the winner and runner up’s victory and his experience with this season, Organiser Syed Rafi said, “these contestants are fabulous performers, and I have seen their evolution at every stage of auditions and now in finals. They are true winners and deserves a lot. I must add that as an organiser and founder of Super Dancer Dance Competition, I have thoroughly enjoyed this season, and I am glad that I was able to witness such amazing talent performances in front of us.

This season of Super Dancer has been a fun-filled journey for all of us and every contestant is close to our hearts, It was a treat to watch very talented dancers in this competition, said Sangeetha & Jyothi of Emote Edition Dance Studios who were the associate partners with Doha Music Lovers in this season. I wish them a lot of love and luck for their future and wish the best for each one of them, said Ajay Kumar CEO of New Tech Engg. & Trading. Speaking on the occasion Gadde Srinivas the Managing Director of Dana World Cont. Co, applauded the work done by Syed Rafi in making the event a remarkable one and said that he look forward to have many more seasons like this from Doha Music Lovers & Emote Edition.

While we declared winners and runner ups, in my mind and heart, every one of our contestants is a winner because the passion and talent they have is truly incredible. I hope to see them grow and excel outside of this show. I have had such an amazing time with our associate partners, fellow judges, the incredible contestants and our fabulous team. I am carrying back so many memories and lasting friendships,” said Syed Rafi Chairman of Doha Music Lovers. Bhaskar Chaubey CEO of Focus Trading & Cont stressed on the importance of culture and the need to establish the appreciation for our traditions and culture in the hearts of the new generation and reinforce the same by organising more such events. This is such a well-deserved win that was possible because of the amount of hard work, dedication and passion that they put in every day, said Jaiprakash Singh and he applauded parents hardwork behind these wonderful performances.

For this Dance Competition the panel of jury included 7 judges who are renowned dance masters and choreographers in Doha and they are, Krishnapriya Rajesh, Sweta Bharadwaj, Milan Arun, Bhavna Naik, Jishnu Sathyan, Nimi Jayadev and Seema Rajith.    Judge Milan Arun shared, that its not an easy feat to conduct an event of such a magnitude week after week, with so many participants and she applauded the role of Syed Rafi and his team along with Emote Edition Dance Studios.   

Ajay Kumar CEO of New Tech Engg & Trading was the Chief Guest of the program, who just flew in from India to witness this competition.  The other dignitaries who graced the event were Krishna Kumar Gen. Secretary of ICC, Rajani Murthy of ICBF, Gadde Srinivas President of TPS, Bhaskar Chaubey MD of Focus Trading & Cont, Anil M General Manager of New Tech Engg,  Jaiprakash Singh President of Central Indian Association, Pardeep of Sonu Doha Cont, Praveen Buyyani Managing Director of Telangana Food Suncons, Venkappa Bhagavatula President, Vikram General Secretary of Andhra Kala Vedika  and Rajesh Singh were the guest of honours for the event. 

The chief guest, Organisers and the jury members handed over the trophies to the winning   participants respectively. Channel 5 and Maa Gulf were the media partners for this competition. The event concluded on a happy note.

Cricket: Bahrain down hosts Malaysia to win Quadrangular Series; Qatar finish third ahead of Singapore

 

By Armstrong Vaz

Doha, Qatar: Bahrain helped by the batting heroics of Sohail Ahmed clinched the Malaysia Quadrangular Series defeating hosts Malaysia by six wickets in the final of the T20 tournament at Bayuemas Oval, Kuala Lumpur, on Friday while Qatar finished third ahead of Singapore.

In the four-team event final match, Bahrain’s Ahmed kept his cool in the final over of the innings to score 12 runs and give his team the title, finishing off the contest in fourth delivery of the 20^th over much to the delight of his team mates.

Bahrain reached the winning target losing four wickets with top scorer Ahmed (66) holding the innings together and guiding them to the finish.

Ahmed’s 66 came off 44 balls and contained four hits over the fence and three boundaries.

Chasing 154 for a win, Bahraini suffered two early blows losing two wickets with only 37 runs on the board. However, opener Prashant Kurup and Ahmed added 57 for the third wicket to steady the innings and also keep up to the scoring rate.

With Kurup falling for his individual 40 and at the team score reading at 94, Ahmed and three-down batsman Haider Ali added 50 for the fourth wicket to the take them closer to the target, with Ali dismissed off the last ball of the 19th over.

Needing 11 runs in the final over bowled by Rizwan Haider, Ahmed struck one six and one four to get them to the victory target.

Rizwan Haider, Fitri Sham, Muhammad Wafiq Zarbani and Virandeep Singh bagged one wicket each in the Bahrain innings.

Earlier, Malaysia who were asked to bat first by Bahrain managed to scored 153 for the loss of nine wickets.

Malaysia total revolved around contributions from Zubaidi Zulkifle (34), Virandeep Singh (31), Syed Aziz (25), Khizar Hayat Durrani (20) and Aslam Khan Malik (18).

Sarfraz Ali turned out to be most successful bowler for Bahrain capturing four wickets for 27 runs while Imran Javed bagged two wickets for 25 runs. Muhammad Rizwan Butt and Waseeq Ahmed claimed one wicket apiece.

Meanwhile, Qatar won the rain affected third place match against Singapore by nine wickets with 24 balls remaining under the DLS method.

Chasing 165 for a win in 18 overs Qatar reached the target losing just the wicket of Kamran Khan (36) who along Imal Liyanage put on 62 runs in 4.5 overs for the opening wicket. Khan’s 19 ball knock contained five boundaries and two sixes.

From there on, Liyange and captain Mohammed Rizlan took over to guide them past the target without any damage.

Liyange notched his half century, laced with eight hits to the fence and came off 41 balls, Rizlan was the more enterprising of the pair taking just 25 balls to race to his unbeaten 72 runs which contained eight sixes and two hits to the fence, with Qatar reaching the target off the final ball of the 14^th over.

Janak Prakash picked up the only wicket to fall in the Qatar innings.

Earlier, put into bat Singapore made 164 for 6 in the reduced 18-over match.

Manpreet Singh top scored with 71 runs while Aman Desai tuned out to be significant contributor to the Singapore total with 57       runs.

Wicket keeper batsman 18-year-old Sidhant Srikanth made ten runs, he along with Qatar 25-year-old Yousuf Ali, were the two debutants in the match

Ikramullah Khan was the most successful bowler for Qatar bagging three wickets while Gayan Munaweera took two and Mohammed Nadeem one wicket.